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Trident IoT, a new company dedicated to manufacturing Z-Wave chips, has recently launched. Founded in April, Trident aims to design and support Z-Wave devices. The company plans to complete the chip manufacturing process within a month and anticipates sampling them to customers by the end of this year. This announcement is significant for the smart home industry and the Z-Wave standard in particular.

Previously, Z-Wave customers faced concerns due to the exclusive production of Z-Wave silicon chips by Zensys, the only company providing them. Many hoped for an alternative chip provider to ensure affordable pricing and as a backup option in case of Zensys’ closure. Although Sigma Designs acquired Zensys in 2008, there was no opening up of the Z-Wave radio protocol. In 2018, when Silicon Labs acquired Sigma Designs, Z-Wave customers became hopeful again. And in 2020, Silicon Labs initiated the process of making the standard more accessible by creating the Z-Wave Alliance and making the source code available.

Trident IoT represents a significant milestone in the journey to have a second source for Z-Wave chips. Despite the rising popularity of the smart home and discussions revolving around interoperability between various vendor ecosystems, Z-Wave remained relevant for security companies and DIY enthusiasts. When major tech companies announced their support for the Matter standard, which relies on Wi-Fi and Thread, the future of Z-Wave seemed uncertain. However, Trident IoT’s emergence indicates that Z-Wave will continue to compete.

Trident IoT plans to explore other protocols in addition to Z-Wave to ensure compatibility with various client requirements, such as Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. The company has a team of engineers specializing in different IoT protocols. Trident’s commitment to supporting multiple standards aligns with Silicon Labs’ pursuit of becoming a dedicated IoT chip company.

Trident IoT has received support from Silicon Labs, as affirmed by a quote from a Silicon Labs employee in Trident’s press release. The availability of a secondary chip source is expected to benefit both Trident IoT and existing Z-Wave customers. Additionally, customers may find it advantageous, especially with the potential of long-range Z-Wave options for powering sensors in yards or remote access control devices. Despite the ongoing debate regarding multiple standards in the smart home industry, companies that choose Z-Wave now have another reliable alternative.

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